Psychology Commons^™

Zonulin As A Mediator Of Psychological Stress And Periodontal Disease, Casey D. Wright

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The prevalence of chronic inflammatory diseases is on the rise. Some have posited the permeability of tight junctions in gastrointestinal epithelium tissues as a potential mechanism for precipitating inflammatory processes throughout the body. Zonulin is the only known modulator of tight junction permeability and has been implicated in numerous chronic inflammatory processes (e.g., proinflammatory cytokine production) and diseases, more generally. The role of zonulin in oral inflammation, however, has yet to be explored. Periodontal disease is the most common oral inflammatory condition and primary perpetrator of tooth loss. Periodontal disease also is associated with a number of other health problems …

Sleep And Cardiovascular Reactivity To An Acute Virtual Stressor, Alaina Grace Tiani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Inappropriate response and magnitude of cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) to stress is a proposed mechanism through which environmental stressors are linked with poor cardiovascular health outcomes (Chida & Steptoe, 2010; Krantz & Manuck, 1984). Studies of reactivity to various laboratory tasks commonly control for factors known to influence CVR such as smoking, medication use, caffeine intake, and BMI; however, few have considered the influence of sleep on CVR. In order to determine whether sleep characteristics need to be assessed and considered in studies of CVR, this study aimed to examine the association between indices of sleep quality and the magnitude and …

Self-Reported And Behavioral Perseverance Associated With The Maintenance Of Health Behaviors, Alivia Kay Frazier

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Research has shown that positive psychological traits, such as perseverance, may be associated with the maintenance of health behaviors aimed to prevent commonly fatal diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, stroke). Although there is limited research in this area, the current study examined whether there was an association between self-reported perseverance, behavioral perseverance, and distress tolerance with various health behaviors (e.g., sleep, physical activity, nutrition, vaping, alcohol use, general health status, and COVID-19 behaviors). A novel methodology was implemented for this study that employed using the online mirror tracing task as a measure of behavioral perseverance.

A sample of young adult participants …

Adherence To Dietary Recommendations For Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis, Kristine M. Durkin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: Adhering to dietary recommendations and nutritional supplements to ensure adequate absorption of nutrients and malnutrition plays an important role in the health of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Non-adherence to the CF care regimen, including nutritional recommendations, is high in adolescents. Therefore, the overall goal of this study was to identify factors related to adherence to nutritional recommendations in adolescents with CF.

Method: A total of 42 adolescents (ages 12-18) were recruited from 5 CF centers across the US. Adolescents completed surveys measuring body image/satisfaction, health literacy, perceived barriers to enzyme use, and self-efficacy, as well as the quality …

Electronic Cigarette Dependence: User And Device Characteristic Predictors, Ashley E. Douglas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Understanding the dependence potential of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) is critical to informing prevention and regulatory efforts. Extant work on ECIG dependence is limited, in part due to the vast number of products that differ on their ability to deliver nicotine. Further, existing research is based largely on former/current cigarette smokers, and thus confounds dependence on nicotine via ECIGs versus cigarettes. This study evaluated ECIG device/liquid characteristics and use behaviors as predictors of ECIG dependence in a sample of experienced ECIG users who never smoked cigarettes. Participants completed an online survey that assessed ECIG device/liquid features, use behavior, and ECIG dependence. …

An Exploration Of The Effects Of Mindfulness On Pain: The Role Of Pain Catastrophizing, Ilana Haliwa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Chronic pain is a complex global public health concern associated with a host of negative outcomes, including loss of productivity, decreased quality of life, and greater likelihood of developing a mental health disorder. Initial evidence indicates that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) improve pain symptomatology. However, most MBIs are time and resource intensive, and it is unclear how mindfulness may improve the pain experience. The purpose of the present set of studies was to test the effects of a brief, app-based MBI on pain experience, and to examine whether pain catastrophizing was a statistical mediator of any effect. Two studies were conducted …

Relation Of Child Feeding Behaviors & Caregiver Qualities To Adherence To Nutritional Therapy In Type 1 Diabetes Management, Corrine N. Ahrabi-Nejad

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic illness, typically diagnosed within childhood, that affects the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin. Significant daily self-management behaviors are required to maintain metabolic control for patients with T1D. Nutritional therapy, including adequate intake of macronutrients, is one self-management behavior necessary to optimize health. Adherence to such nutritional guidelines is associated with improved glycemic control, decreased instances of acute health complications (e.g., hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia), and can also prevent insulin resistance. Despite the critical importance of nutritional therapy, adherence to these guidelines remains low within pediatric populations. Therefore, it is important and necessary to …

Covid-19: Examining Adherence Through The Health Belief Model, Leah Ashton Brown

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Over 6.4 million individuals have died due to COVID-19. Although the vaccine has been distributed and made more accessible, it is important for individuals to continue adhering to guidelines that prevent the spread of this deadly virus. The current study explored adherence to COVID-19-related health behaviors (wearing a mask, social distancing, properly washing hands, and receiving the COVID-19 vaccine) in a U.S. sample (recruited through Amazon MTurk) and examined the role of interactions among various identities. The study was informed by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and participants completed questionnaires that assessed COVID-19 health behaviors, constructs comprising the HBM (perceived …